Occupational Therapy Assistant

Cost of Attendance

Occupational Therapy Assistant Program

Cost of Attendance 2023-2024

In-State Tuition

Out-of-District Tuition

Non-Texas/International Non-Resident Tuition

Published costs and fees are subject to change. The cost of Textbooks and Supplies is estimated, and a student may find the cost to be more or less.

Faculty and Staff

• Dr. Jacqueline Stevenson, OTD, OTR, Program Director, and Associate Professor
• Kathryn Freeman, MOT, OTR, Academic Fieldwork Coordinator, and Associate Professor
• Edward Gayden, BS, COTA, Student Club Advisor and Associate Professor
• Leianna Bell, COTA, Academic Program Specialist

Professional Organizations and Sites of Interest  

The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program maintains close ties with the professional organizations that represent occupational therapy:

American Occupational Therapy Association:  This is a national professional organization that represents nearly 230,000 occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, and occupational therapy students in the United States and beyond, to advance occupational therapy practice, education, and research.

Texas Occupational Therapy Association:  The Texas Occupational Therapy Association (TOTA) is a non-profit professional association incorporated in Texas that was established for the benefit of professionals and students of occupational therapy. The mission of TOTA is to be responsive to the professional development, information needs, and educational requirements of its members; to advance and improve the practice of occupational therapy for the benefit of the consumers; and to anticipate and respond to the organizational, political, economic and social features of the health care delivery system at the local, state and national levels.

Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners:  This is the legal authority on standards of physical therapy practice in Texas.  It acts as a public guardian.  It is also the licensing authority for the state of Texas.

Learn more THECB Statutory Requirements 

OTA Student Handbook SPC Student Handbook

Admissions Requirements:

Students electing to major in the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program must meet all admission requirements for acceptance to St. Philip's College and the Health Sciences Department. Students must also complete and submit the separate Health Sciences Department Application Form and ALL supporting documents. See the Admission Guidelines, OTA Application Checklist, or Observation Hours Form.

Prerequisite Requirements:

Prerequisite courses are:

• ENGL 1301 Composition
• BIOL 2401 Human Anatomy & Physiology I
• MATH Choose one from the math core.

General Education Courses to complete either before starting the program or during the summer break:

• Select one course from Humanities (40) core OR from Visual and Performing Arts (50) core
• PSCY 2301 General Psychology

NOTE: All courses must have a grade of C or higher

Courses do not have an expiration date. If Alamo Colleges accepts your course then the program will accept your courses.

Observation Hours - Online Course:

Please choose one or the other:
Observation hours can be completed the traditional way (in-person; at 2 different settings) or here on this online course: https://www.clinedweb.com/courses/intro-to-ot-observation-hours

*If you choose the online course, you will receive a certificate at the end. Upload this certificate on the application*

Application Process:

Completed application packets, including all supporting documents, are accepted by the deadline of May 31. Applications are reviewed during the Spring semester for consideration to begin the OTA program in the following Fall semester.

Learn more Observation Verification Form Apply Today!

Selection Process:

After the May 31 deadline, the Selection Committee will review all complete application packets. Qualified applicants will be notified to attend a meeting with OTA faculty that furthers the selection process. This session will provide more specific information about the program, expectations if accepted into the program, and completion of an interview and writing sample.   

Learn more

A completed application includes the following:

• Completed application packet
• ATI TEAS score page with a minimum score of 65
• Official Transcripts for colleges pertaining to the prerequisites courses
• Complete 20 Volunteer/Observation Hours in two separate OT settings
• Potential students MUST attend at least one either virtual or face-to-face Information Session
• A one-two page, double-spaced, Calibri 12-point font essay including the following:
  • Describe what becoming an occupational therapy assistant means to you
  • How did the volunteer/observation experience expand your knowledge of Occupational Therapy
  • Describe how you build relationships with classmates and professor 

No person shall, on the basis of race, color, sex, pregnancy, religion, creed, national origin (including ancestry), citizenship status, physical or mental disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, transgender status, gender identity, gender expression, veteran or military status (including special disabled veteran, Vietnam-era veteran, or recently separated veteran), predisposing genetic characteristics, domestic violence victim status, any other protected category under applicable local, state or federal law, or persons who have opposed discrimination or participated in any complaint process on campus or before a government agency, be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination in employment or under any program or activity sponsored or conducted by the College District. H.1.1